Ministry blasts US adding Chinese research institutions to list of 'problematic' entities

China is very dissatisfied with and firmly opposes the US Department of Defense's recent update to its "list of foreign institutions engaging in problematic activities", the Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday.

The comments came after the Pentagon added some Chinese research institutions — including Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the Aerospace Information Research Institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences — to the list last Thursday.

Washington has continuously overstretched the concept of national security, erected discriminatory barriers, and "politicized, weaponized, and instrumentalized" scientific research cooperation, hindering exchanges and collaboration in the field between the two countries, a ministry spokesperson said in a statement.

Such practices run counter to the global trend toward cooperation in scientific and technological innovation, the spokesperson said.

Beijing urged Washington to stop its groundless smears against Chinese research institutions, promptly correct its wrong practices, and provide them with fair, just, and non-discriminatory treatment, the spokesperson said.

"China will take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese research institutions and help ensure normal scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation," the spokesperson added.